Is it OK for a mother to be a bit selfish and take charge of her life?
I was really looking forward to our week in south France but I was suspicious of the word ‘glamping’. I changed my perception when I arrived at ‘La Douce France’.I loved the huge luxury tents and even more the delicious dinners in the ‘table d’hôte’ setting.
The place came with the story, that of a mother who a year ago decided to leave the comfortable life style in The Netherlands to follow a life dream. I was intrigued by her story as mother and entrepreneur and I suggested an interview. We had a lovely chat while she was baking macarons and cakes for her daughter’s birthday.
Following the interview, I wrote for this article a snapshot of Chrissy’s life story and her advice for mothers.
Chrissy:
I grew up in the country side in The Netherlands. My dad was a business man and my mum was a former teacher who decided to be at home with us. My younger sister had a serious heart condition and although we played together a lot she couldn’t do a lot of sports. I spent my childhood doing sports, being active outside.
My dearest early memory was from when I was about eight years old and the four of us went to Florida to visit Disney land. I absolutely loved it because it was just our small family and it was so special because back then it wasn’t common to travel far for a family holiday.
The teenage period and early adulthood was equally happy. I could follow any study I wished for and I could get any job wanted. Studying and my professional career took some energy, but it all came easy for me.
In my late twenties I met my husband Ruben, we bought a nice house, got married and we had our two children. We had what you would call a perfect life, but then, suddenly, within two years we both lost our parents.
Their sudden death made me realize that life is short and if we don’t do anything about it we would continue with the same jobs and life until we become 50. We had a dream of living in a nice warm country, cooking for our guests and living much more outdoors. We couldn’t postpone it any longer.
Within six months we both resigned from our high paid jobs, sold our house and bought this domain in South of France. Our kids were 7 and 5 when we moved and we had to put them in a French school without them speaking the language. A year later I am surprised how easily they adapted. Of course, it wasn’t easy for us. We struggled and we worked hard to make the glamping site ready for our first guests.
Here is my advice for all mothers:
In your adulthood you may be a bit selfish. You are in the peak of your life and you need to make decisions on how you want to spend it and what kind of life you want to offer your family. It is your time to make that decision. The children will grow and later in their life they will also make their own decisions on how to spend their life.
You can check out Chrissy’s dream at: Domain la Douce France.